Educating Children in the Bristow/Haymarket Area

Dr. Stubblefield is passionate about educating today’s youth about how dentistry effects their day-to-day lives and how good oral hygiene is essential for their overall well-being. To that end, Dr. Stubblefield attended the “African American Achievers in our Community” event last Friday February 7th at Mountain View Elementary School in Haymarket. As one of the speakers at this event Dr. Stubblefield went from class to class, having conversations with 5th grade students about dentistry.

Here are some of the questions Dr. Stubblefield got from the inquisitive 5th graders of Mountain View Elementary:

“Why does my dentist put that sticky stuff on my teeth?”

That “sticky stuff” is the fluoride varnish that your local Bristow dentist or hygienist places on your teeth to help strengthen and protect your enamel. When applied by your dentist or hygienist at your regularly scheduled hygiene appointments, fluoride can not only help your enamel, but also can prevent tooth decay. Dr. Stubblefield explained to the students that at our office when we apply fluoride varnish, we tell our patients that we “CARD” them at their appointment.

The C stands for caries: holes in teeth caused by bacteria and acid.

The A stands for antimicrobial: stop growth of the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay.

The R stands for remineralization: the process that restore minerals to make teeth stronger and healthier.

The D stands for desensitize: less sensitive to hot, cold and sugar.

“How often should I brush and floss?”

Good at home oral care is essential for making sure your oral health is optimum. The recommended amount of times a person should brush their teeth depends on the condition of their mouth and whether they have braces or not but generally, it is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, (after breakfast and before bedtime), and floss daily.

This is because the bacteria from the food eaten throughout the day will sit undisturbed while you sleep if you don’t remove it from your teeth and gums by thoroughly brushing and flossing the area. To thoroughly brush your teeth, it is recommended you brush for 2 minutes. If you aren’t sure how long 2 minutes is and don’t want to use a timer, a good, fun way to keep track of time is by singing the “Happy Birthday Song” 2 times slowly!

Another tip Dr. Stubblefield had for the students is to brush 20 minutes after a meal. Brushing with toothpaste and water isn’t always necessary when brushing your teeth, (as long as you also brush at night and in the morning with toothpaste). The mechanical movement of your toothbrush can effectively disturb the bacteria in your mouth to prevent plaque formation. So if you want to get some extra oral hygiene in, you can simply brush dry!

“Can I eat candy and sugar without getting cavities?”

Candy, sugary foods and acidic drinks are the main culprits in tooth decay. However, totally abstaining from sugar is unnecessary to prevent cavities. Your body has a natural defense against the negative effects of acid, your saliva! The saliva has a “buffer;” an ability to neutralize acids in your mouth. However, this buffer is only effective when you minimize the frequency of acidic and sugary foods.

Dr. Stubblefield said to the students, “I actually love candy, I have quite the sweet tooth and so do my kids. But I always tell them, ‘Everything in moderation!’ You can have a piece of candy or two during the day, but don’t eat and drink sugar throughout the day!”

So always remember when it comes to sugar and any acidic food or drinks, MODERATION IS KEY!

Have more questions? Want to know what treatment is right for you? Call us today to schedule a free consultation!